Shinzo Abe’s body returned to Tokyo after suspected gunman told police he ‘holds a grudge’ | World News
Shinzo Abe’s body has been brought back to Japan’s capital after the former prime minister was murdered during a campaign speech.
Mr. Abe, 67 years old, is shot twice from behind while speaking at a campaign rally in the city of Nara – the site of the first assassination attempt of a sitting or former prime minister of Japan since the 1930s.
He suffered two deep wounds to his neck that damaged an artery and died five and a half hours after the late morning attack.
Mr. Abe suffered two wounds to his neck and died a few hours after the attack
Police said Yamagami Tetsuya, 41, who was tracked down and arrested shortly after the incident, admitted to shooting Mr. Abe with a homemade gun.
According to police, the suspect said he had a grudge against a “specific organization” and believed Mr Abe was part of it.
However, the grudge was not political and it was unclear whether the unnamed organization really existed, the officers added.
Tetsuya is said to be an unemployed factory worker who was a member of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
A man believed to be a suspect is in police custody. Photo: Yomiuri Shimbun via Reuters
Officials pray with the vehicle believed to be carrying the body of the former Japanese prime minister
On Saturday, a steady stream of mourners visited the scene in Nara as a convoy believed to be carrying Mr. Abe’s body left the hospital.
The convoy, which also carried Akie, Mr. Abe’s wife, left the hospital in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, shortly before 6 a.m., with local media reporting it was headed for his residence in Tokyo.
Photo: AP
A night of vigil will be held on Monday, while Mr Abe’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, attended by close friends, Japanese media, Japanese media reported. The said.
There was no immediate word on any plans for a public memorial service.
Chinese President Xi Jinping became the latest in a long line of world leaders to send messages of condolences on Saturday after Mr Abe’s death.
The leaders of the US, UK, South Korea, Brazil, Israel, Canada, France, Australia, Ukraine, Russia and New Zealand have also made accusations.
Meanwhile, campaigning resumed on the last day of the election before voting for the upper house.
The election is expected to yield victory for the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, with the Liberal Democratic Party, where Mr Abe retains considerable influence, is expected to win the seat. .
